Local Organizations and Collaborations

Statewide Prevent Suicide Hawai‘i Taskforce (PSHTF)

• Click here to read more About Us.

Prevent Suicide Hawai‘i Taskforce (PSHTF) – Island Taskforces

• In addition to the statewide PSHTF, there are county taskforces that address island/community-specific issues. Click here to read more about the Island Taskforces.

DOD/Military Partnerships

Collaboration with our military partners has grown exponentially. There is now a Joint Military Suicide Prevention Taskforce (JMSPTF), which facilitates cross-branch communication and collaboration.

• JMSPTF Chair – Stefany Garcia, Consolidated Primary Prevention Analyst, Integrated Primary Prevention Workforce – Hawai‘i Army National Guard – (808) 672-1465, stefany.m.garcia.civ@army.mil  

• Co-Chair – Melody Bell, Outreach Coordinator, Cohen Veterans Clinic – (808) 509-7850, mbell@cfs-hawaii.org 

• Sr. Advisor – Brent Oto, Alcohol & Drug Control Officer, ASAP, 9th MSC Army Reserves – (808) 438-1600 x3197, brent.k.oto.civ@army.mil 

Below is information for suicide prevention activities in individual branches/services:

• Army - https://home.army.mil/hawaii/index.php/garrison/dhr/asap/suicide-prevention-program

• Army National Guard – Suicide Prevention Program Manager – (808) 844-6453, https://hawaiiguardohana.org/suicide-prevention-program.php 

• Army Reserves – Kay Morris, 9th MSC Suicide Prevention Program Manager/Office – (808) 438-1600 x3231, katherine.m.morris28.civ@army.mil 

• Air Force – Diane Heard, Suicide Prevention Program Manager – (808) 449-1603/1608, latoya.heard@us.af.mil 

• Air National Guard – Ms. Yumi Panui, Director of Psychological Health 154 WG – (808) 286-0258, yumi.panui@us.af.mil 

• Marine Corps – C.A.R.R.E. Center (building 216), (808) 257-7780/8803

• Navy – LT Leah Teglovic, Suicide Prevention Program Manager – (808) 474-0045, leahteglovic@gmail.com

• Department of Veteran Affairs, Pacific Islands Healthcare System – Justin Fienhold, LCSW, CSAC, Suicide Prevention Coordinator – 433-3472, justin.fienhold@va.gov, http://www.hawaii.va.gov/services/mentalhealth.asp 

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) – Hawaiʻi Chapter

Main contacts:

• https://afsp.org/chapter/hawaii

AFSP is the nation’s leading organization bringing together people across communities and backgrounds to understand and prevent suicide, and to help heal the pain it causes. A small group of board members and volunteers have established a formal Chapter in Hawai‘i. AFSP’s major activities include the Out of the Darkness Community Walks, International Survivors of Suicide Loss events, Hike for Hope, and other trainings and awareness activities to increase community knowledge and capacity around suicide prevention.

Hawai‘i State Department of Health (DOH)

DOH is the state-designated “lead agency” for suicide prevention activities. The following sections of DOH relate to mental health and/or suicide prevention:

• Emergency Medical Services and Injury Prevention System Branch – main resource for suicide prevention trainings & information, including poison prevention – http://health.hawaii.gov/injuryprevention/ 

  • Renee Yu – Suicide Prevention Coordinator, DOH EMS and Injury Prevention System Branch (zeruirenee.yu@doh.hawaii.gov) 

• Adult Mental Health Division – http://health.hawaii.gov/amhd/ 

• Child & Adolescent Mental Health Division - http://health.hawaii.gov/camhd/ 

Hawai‛i State Department of Education (DOE)

• http://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/Pages/Home.aspx

• Whole-child supports: http://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/TeachingAndLearning/StudentLearning/Supports/Pages/home.aspx 

Mental Health America of Hawai‘i (MHAH)

MHAH provides trainings, presentations, and resources for adults and youth. The organization also supports individuals and families around mental health issues, and participates in advocacy activities.

• http://mentalhealthhawaii.org/, (808) 521-1846 or (808) 242-6461 (Maui office) 

• MHAH has a Finding Help Phone List, a compilation of agencies and programs that offer a comprehensive range of services (see Finding Help Guide, updated in July 2021).

• Free, anonymous screenings are available to determine whether you are experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition at https://bit.ly/3yGjJdN. For crisis resources and support, check out Noshamegethelp.org.

• For youth, MHAH offers the Youth Suicide & Bullying Prevention Training (YSBP), a two-hour evidence-informed curriculum for middle and high schoolers that meets the requirements for ACT 270. For more information email prevention@mentalhealthhawaii.org. 

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Hawai‘i

Offers education, advocacy, and support for persons with mental illness and their families. One of NAMI Hawaii’s primary focus areas is the support of families and caregivers of those living with mental illness. They offer a “Family-to-Family (F4F) Education” course for caregivers, as well as Family Support Groups. A variety of peer support groups are also offered in various locations.

• www.namihawaii.org, (808) 591-1297

University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Department of Psychiatry

Hawaii’s leader in research, service, and training on mental/behavioral health in Hawai‘i and the Pacific Region. The Department also co-houses the “Hawaii’s Caring Communities/Systems Initiatives (HCCI and HCSI) for Youth Suicide Prevention,” under the direction of Dr. Deborah Goebert (goebertd@dop.hawaii.edu) and Dr. Jeanelle Sugimoto-Matsuda (jsugimot@hawaii.edu). 

• Department of Psychiatry – http://blog.hawaii.edu/dop 

• HCCI/HCSI projects – hcsi.team@gmail.com 

• A comprehensive description of the Department’s suicide prevention work can be found here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5694974/pdf/hjmph7611_0310.pdf. 

Youth Leadership Council for Suicide Prevention

Main contacts:

• University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Department of Psychiatry (hcsi.team@gmail.com). 

The Hawaii’s Caring Communities Initiative (HCCI) supports the Youth Leadership Council. Approximately 50 youth from across the state are now part of the Council, serving as advocates for suicide prevention in their respective communities. Interested youth/organizations can contact HCCI for information on the process for becoming involved in the Council (includes an application/interview process to ensure youth’s readiness for serving as a youth leader).

Other Partner Organizations and Agencies

There are many groups, formal and informal, that are currently working in suicide prevention. The following list provides just a snapshot of these groups – and thankfully, the list continues to grow!